Product Dispensing System with Dispenser-Product Interaction

ABSTRACT

A product dispensing system including a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser including a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall, a protuberance extending from the first side wall toward the second side wall, a container support deck positioned below the protuberance between the first and second side walls, the container support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends, and a lower support deck positioned below the container support deck, the lower support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear ends, and defining a product display area.

FIELD

This application relates to the dispensing of products from packagingcontainers and, more particularly, to product dispensers configured tocooperate with packaging containers to dispense products.

BACKGROUND

Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosingmultiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton orbox. For example, canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a boxcontaining twenty-four individual cans. Then, it is typically theretailer's obligation to remove the individual product units from thecontainer and present them (e.g., on a shelf) to consumers.

Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model havebeen developed in an effort to improve operating efficiency. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 (issued on Apr. 12, 2011) discloses aproduct dispensing system that includes a dispenser having a supportstructure, a product display area and an opening tool. The dispenser maybe positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded with product simply byplacing a container comprising multiple units of product onto thesupport structure of the dispenser. As the container is being placedonto the support structure, the opening tool of the dispenser opens thecontainer in such a manner that product rolls from the container anddown to the product display area of the dispenser under the force ofgravity.

Unfortunately, product dispensing systems may experience productbridging that prevents products from properly exiting the container andmoving through the dispenser. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when acontainer 2 is positioned on a dispenser 4, a product 6A may bridge thegap between the container 2 and product 6B, thereby preventing all ofthe products 6 from passing through the opening 8 in the container 2 andmoving into the dispenser 4.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research anddevelopment efforts directed to product dispensing systems.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosed product dispensing system may include adispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, thedispenser including a first side wall laterally opposed from a secondside wall, a protuberance extending from the first side wall toward thesecond side wall, a container support deck positioned below theprotuberance between the first and second side walls, the containersupport deck extending at least partially between the front and rearends, and a lower support deck positioned below the container supportdeck, the lower support deck extending at least partially between thefront and rear ends, and defining a product display area.

In another embodiment, the disclosed product dispensing system mayinclude a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from arear end, the dispenser including a first side wall laterally opposedfrom a second side wall, a protuberance extending from the first sidewall toward the second side wall, a container support deck positionedbelow the protuberance between the first and second side walls, thecontainer support deck extending at least partially between the frontand rear ends, and a lower support deck positioned below the containersupport deck, the lower support deck extending at least partiallybetween the front and rear ends, and defining a product display area, acontainer positioned on the container support deck, the containerdefining an engagement opening, and a plurality of products initiallyhoused in the container, wherein the protuberance is engaged with atleast one of the products when the engagement opening is aligned withthe protuberance.

In yet another embodiment, disclosed is a method for dispensingproducts. The method may include the steps of (1) providing a dispenserincluding a container support deck and a lower support deck positionedbelow the container support deck, the lower support deck defining aproduct display area, (2) providing a container initially housing aplurality of products, (3) forming an access opening in the container,the access opening being size to allow the products to passtherethrough, (4) positioning the container with the access opening onthe container support deck such that at least one product exits thecontainer through the access opening and moves to the product displayarea and, while the container is positioned on the container supportdeck, restricting movement toward the access opening of another productwithin the container.

Other embodiments of the disclosed product dispensing system and methodwill become apparent from the following detailed description, theaccompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art product dispensingsystem, shown with product bridging within the container;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a container configured inaccordance with the present disclosure to avoid product bridging;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 2, shown witha product exiting the container;

FIG. 4 is a front and side perspective view of one embodiment of thedisclosed product dispensing system with dispenser-product interaction;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the container of the productdispensing system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front and side perspective view of the container of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear and bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of theproduct dispensing system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view, in section, of a portion of the side wall ofthe dispenser of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view, in section, of a portion of the side wall ofa dispenser in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of thedisclosed product dispensing system;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view, in section, of a portion of the side wall ofa dispenser in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of thedisclosed product dispensing system;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view, in section, of a portion of theproduct dispensing system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view, in section, of the productdispensing system of FIG. 4, shown during one phase of dispensing; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view, in section, of the productdispensing system of FIG. 13, shown during another phase of dispensing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a container 10 suitable for use inconnection with the disclosed product dispensing system may include anaccess opening 12, and may initially house a plurality of products 14.The container 10 may be arranged at a non-zero angle Θ relative to ahorizontal plane P such that the force of gravity urges the products 14toward the access opening 12.

In FIG. 2, the container 10 is shown after two products have exited thecontainer 10 through the opening 12. Therefore, the next two products14A, 14B in the container 10 have moved to a bridging configuration,wherein product 14A is wedged over the access opening 12 between product14B and the rear wall 16 of the container 10.

It has now been discovered that the problem of product bridging withinthe container 10 may be overcome by restricting movement toward theaccess opening 12 of some of the products 14 within the container 10until the initial products (e.g., products 14A, 14B) have exited thecontainer 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when rearward movement(i.e., movement toward the access opening 12) of product 14C has beenrestricted, the weight of product 14A acting on product 14B may urgeproduct 14B in the direction shown by arrow A, thereby allowing product14A to pass through the opening 12. Once product 14A has passed throughthe opening 12, the remaining products 14 in the container 10 may exitthe container 10 without bridging.

Accordingly, disclosed is a product dispensing system that may include adispenser and a container that initially houses products intended to bedispensed by the dispenser. The dispenser and the container may beconfigured to facilitate beneficial interaction of the dispenser withthe products housed in the container such that the occurrence of productbridging within the container may be reduced or eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of the disclosed product dispensingsystem with dispenser-product interaction, generally designated 100, mayinclude a dispenser 102 and a container 104. The container 104 mayinitially house multiple units of product 106. When the container 104 isloaded onto the dispenser 102, the container 104 may release theproducts 106 from the container 104 to the dispenser 102.

The container 104 may be any container capable of initially housingproducts 106 and beneficially interacting with the disclosed dispenser102 to release the products 106 to the dispenser 102. For example, thecontainer 104 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box.Optionally, at least one major surface 108 of the container 104 may bemarked with indicia 110, such as printed text and/or graphics.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the container 104 may be a generally rectilinearcontainer having six walls 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 that define aninternal volume 130 for receiving the products 106. Opposed walls 118and 120 may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of thecontainer 104. Opposed walls 122 and 124 may define the first (e.g.,right) and second (e.g., left) side walls, respectively, of thecontainer 104. Opposed walls 126 and 128 may define the base and upperwalls, respectively, of the container 104. Containers of other shapesand configurations are also contemplated.

The base wall 126 of the container 104 may define an access opening 132,as shown in FIG. 7. The access opening 132 may be sized and shaped toallow the products 106 (FIGS. 5 and 6) initially housed in the container104 to pass therethrough when the container 104 is mounted on thedispenser 102, as shown in FIG. 4.

The access opening 132 may be positioned proximate (i.e., at or near)the rear wall 120 of the container 104, and may extend generallylaterally between the side walls 122, 124 of the container 104. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the location of the accessopening 132 in the container 104 may depend on, among other things, theconfiguration of the dispenser 102.

Various techniques, including manual and automatic techniques, may beused to form the access opening 132 in the container 104.

In a first aspect, the access opening 132 may be pre-formed in the basewall 126 of the container 104, as shown in FIG. 7. Optionally, apeelable label or the like (not shown) may be applied to the container104 over the pre-formed access opening 132. Therefore, the accessopening 132 may be revealed by peeling away the optional peelable labelfrom the container 104 prior to loading the container 104 onto thedispenser 102.

In a second aspect, the access opening 132 may be defined by pre-formedweakening features, such as perforations or zipper strips, in the basewall 126 of the container 104. Therefore, the access opening 132 may beformed by tearing a portion (e.g., a generally rectangular panel) of thebase wall 126 away from the container 104 along the pre-formed weakeningfeatures prior to loading the container 104 onto the dispenser 102.

In a third aspect, the access opening 132 may be automatically formed inthe container 104 as the container 104 is urged along the dispenser 102.In a first expression of the third aspect, an opening tool associatedwith the dispenser 102 may form the access opening 132 as the container104 is urged along the dispenser 102, as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,922,437 to Loftin et al., the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. In a second expression of the thirdaspect, a catch element associated with the dispenser 102 may form theaccess opening 132 as the container 104 is urged along the dispenser102, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/032,734 filedby Gelardi et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

The right side wall 122 of the container 104 may define a firstcontainer-product engagement opening 134 and the left side wall 124 maydefine a second container-product engagement opening 136. While thefirst engagement opening 134 is shown in FIG. 7 being laterally opposedfrom the second engagement opening 136, also contemplated areconfigurations in which the first engagement opening 134 islongitudinally displaced relative to the second engagement opening 136.

The engagement openings 134, 136 may be sized, shaped and positioned toallow protuberances (discussed below) associated with the dispenser 102to pass therethrough and engage at least one product 106′ (FIG. 5)within the container 104. As is described in greater detail herein, theengagement between the dispenser 102 and the product(s) 106′ by way ofthe engagement openings 134, 136 may restrict movement of at least someof the products 106 within the container 104 when the products 106 arereleased from the container 104 to the dispenser 102, thereby reducingor eliminating the occurrence of product bridging within the container104.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the engagement openings 134, 136 may have alongitudinal length B and a vertical height C. The length B and theheight C may be sufficient to allow the protuberances (discussed below)to pass through the engagement openings 134, 136 and engage at least oneproduct 106′ housed within the container 104. While the engagementopenings 134, 136 are shown having an elongated rectangular shape, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that engagement openings 134, 136 ofvarious sizes and shapes may be used, and that the size and shape of theengagement openings 134, 136 may be dictated by, among other things, thesize and shape of the protuberances (discussed below).

The engagement openings 134, 136 may be spaced a longitudinal distance Dfrom the rear wall 126 of the container 104 and a vertical distance Efrom the base wall 126 of the container 104. The longitudinal distance Dand the vertical distance E may be selected such that the engagementopenings 134, 136 are positioned to align with the product(s) 106′intended to be engaged by the protuberances (discussed below). Forexample, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the engagement openings134, 136 are aligned with the product 106′ in the first row (i.e., therow adjacent to the base wall 126) and the third column from the rearwall 120. Therefore, the longitudinal distance D may be less than orequal to three times the greatest diameter of the products 106 and thevertical distance E may be less than the greatest diameter of theproducts 106.

The products 106 may be any products capable of moving from thecontainer 104 to the dispenser 102 and, ultimately, being dispensed bythe dispenser 102. In one particular implementation, the products 106may have a generally cylindrical shape and may be capable of rollingabout a rolling axis F (FIG. 6). For example, the products 106 may becans (e.g., canned food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g.,bottled soft drinks).

Optionally, the products 106 may include a rim 138, as shown in FIG. 12,or other feature that may catch the protuberances (discussed below)associated with the dispenser 102. For example, the products 106 may becans having a circumferential sealing rim at one end (or both ends).

As shown in FIG. 5, the products 106 may be initially arranged inlongitudinal rows within the container 104 such that the rolling axis F(FIG. 6) of each product 106 is generally normal to the planes definedby the side walls 122, 124 of the container 104. One or more additionalrows may be positioned over the first longitudinal row (i.e., the rowadjacent to the base wall 126 of the container 104) of products 106. Forexample, two stacked longitudinal rows of products 106 are shown in thecontainer 104 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 8, the dispenser 102 may include a first (e.g., left)side wall 140, a second (e.g., right) side wall 142 (FIG. 4), acontainer support deck 144 and a lower support deck 146. The left sidewall 140 may be laterally spaced from the right side wall 142, and maybe generally parallel with the right side wall 142.

The lower support deck 146 may laterally extend between the left andright side walls 140, 142, and may include a front end 148 thatlongitudinally extends toward the front end 150 of the dispenser 102 anda rear end 152 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end 154 ofthe dispenser 102. Therefore, the lower support deck 146 and the sidewalls 140, 142 may define a lower level 156 of the dispenser 102.

The lower support deck 146 may be inclined from the front end 148 to therear end 152 (i.e., the rear end 152 may be elevated relative to thefront end 148) such that products 106 deposited proximate the rear end152 of the lower support deck 146 roll down to the front end 148 of thelower support deck 146 under the force of gravity.

A stop 158 may be positioned proximate the front end 148 of the lowersupport deck 146 to prevent products 106 from rolling beyond the frontend 148 of the lower support deck 146. Therefore, the stop 158 maycollect products 106 at the front end 148 of the lower support deck 146,thereby defining a product display area 160 proximate the front end 148of the lower support deck 146.

The container support deck 144 may laterally extend between the left andright side walls 140, 142, and may include a front end 162 thatlongitudinally extends toward the front end 150 of the dispenser 102 anda rear end 164 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rearend 154 of the dispenser 102. Therefore, the container support deck 144and the side walls 140, 142 may define an upper level 166 of thedispenser 102.

The spacing between the rear end 164 of the container support deck 144and the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102 may define a dispenser opening168, which may function as a chute to allow products 106 to move fromthe upper level 166 to the lower level 156 of the dispenser 102 underthe force of gravity. The access opening 132 (FIG. 7) in the container104 may be aligned with the dispenser opening 168 of the dispenser 102when the container 104 is fully loaded onto the dispenser 102.

The container support deck 144 may be declined from the front end 162 tothe rear end 164 (i.e., the front end 162 may be elevated relative tothe rear end 164). Therefore, the force of gravity may urge products 106supported on the container support deck 144 toward the rear end 164 ofthe container support deck 108 and, ultimately, toward the dispenseropening 168.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 12, the left side wall 140 of the dispenser102 may include a first product engaging protuberance 170. The firstprotuberance 170 may be positioned in the upper level 166 of thedispenser 102, and may protrude inward from the left side wall 140(i.e., toward the right side wall 142).

As shown in FIG. 12, the right side wall 142 of the dispenser 102 mayinclude a second product engaging protuberance 172. The secondprotuberance 172 may be positioned in the upper level 166 of thedispenser 102, and may protrude inward from the right side wall 142(i.e., toward the left side wall 140).

While the first protuberance 170 is shown in FIG. 12 being directlylaterally opposed from the second protuberance 172, also contemplatedare configurations in which the first protuberance 170 is longitudinallydisplaced relative to the second protuberance 172. At this point, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the longitudinal position of thefirst protuberance 170 relative to the second protuberance 172 maydepend on, among other things, the configuration of the engagementopenings 134, 136 in the container 104.

The protuberances 170, 172 may be spaced a longitudinal distance F fromthe rear end 154 of the dispenser 102 and a vertical distance G from thecontainer support deck 144 of the dispenser 102. The longitudinaldistance F and the vertical distance G may be selected such that theprotuberances 170, 172 align with the engagement openings 134, 136 inthe container 104 when the container 104 is longitudinally urged alongthe container support deck 144 of the dispenser 102.

In a first construction, the protuberances 170, 172 may be positioned toalign with the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 whenthe container 104 is fully loaded on the dispenser 102 (i.e., when thecontainer 104 is at its rearward most longitudinal position on thedispenser 102). Therefore, the longitudinal distance F shown in FIG. 8may be substantially equal to the longitudinal distance D shown in FIG.5.

In a second construction, the protuberances 170, 172 may be positionedto align with the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104prior to the container 104 being fully loaded on the dispenser 102(i.e., prior to the container 104 reaching its rearward mostlongitudinal position on the dispenser 102). Therefore, the longitudinaldistance F shown in FIG. 8 may be greater than the longitudinal distanceD shown in FIG. 5. In a first implementation of the second construction,the longitudinal distance D may be at most 97 percent of thelongitudinal distance F. In a second implementation of the secondconstruction, the longitudinal distance D may be at most 95 percent ofthe longitudinal distance F. In a third implementation of the secondconstruction, the longitudinal distance D may be at most 90 percent ofthe longitudinal distance F.

The protuberances 170, 172 may be sized and shaped to pass through theengagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 when the engagementopenings 134, 136 are aligned with the protuberances 170, 172.Therefore, the size and shape of the protuberances 170, 172 may bedictated by, among other things, the size and shape of the engagementopenings 134, 136.

Referring to FIG. 9, the protuberances 170, 172 may include adistal-most end 174, and the distal-most end 174 may protrude inward adistance H from the associated side wall 140, 142 of the dispenser 102.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the distance H may be of amagnitude sufficient to allow the protuberances 170, 172 to pass throughthe respective engagement openings 134, 136 and restrict movement of oneor more products 106′ within the container 104, as shown in FIG. 12.Therefore, the distance H may be greater than the cross-sectionalthickness of the material forming the side walls 122, 124 of thecontainer 104. As one example, the distance H may be at least 0.125inches. As another example, the distance H may be at least 0.25 inches.As another example, the distance H may be at least 0.375 inches. As yetanother example, the distance H may be at least 0.5 inches.

The protuberance 170 shown in FIG. 9 may be formed as a curved bump onthe side wall 140 of the dispenser 102. The protuberance 170 may includea body 176, which may be connected to the side wall 140 (e.g., with anadhesive) or which may be integral with the side wall 140 (i.e., theside wall 140 and the protuberance 170 may be formed as a singlemonolithic body). The body 176 of the protuberance 170 may includesloped regions 178, 180. The first sloped region 178 may provide agradual transition from the side wall 140 to the distal-most end 174 ofthe protuberance 170 in the rearward longitudinal direction (i.e., fromthe front end 150 toward the rear end 154 of the dispenser 102). Thesecond sloped region 180 may provide a gradual transition from thedistal-most end 174 of the protuberance 170 back to the side wall 140 inthe rearward longitudinal direction.

Alternatively, the protuberances 170, 172 may be constructed asspring-loaded detents.

Referring to FIG. 10, in a first alternative aspect, a protuberance 170′may include a detent 182, such as a ball, and a biasing element 184,such as a coil spring. The side wall 140 of the dispenser 102 may definea recess 186, and the detent 182 and the biasing element 184 may be atleast partially received in the recess 186. The biasing force of thebiasing element 184 may urge the detent 182 out of the recess 186 in thedirection shown by arrow I.

Thus, as the container 104 is urged relative to the protuberance 170′,the side wall 124 (FIG. 12) of the container 104 may urge the detent 182into the recess 186 such that the protuberance 170′ does not obstructmovement of the container 104 relative to the dispenser 102. However,once the engagement opening 136 (FIG. 12) is aligned with theprotuberance 170′, the biasing force of the biasing element 184 may urgethe detent 182 through the engagement opening 136 and into engagementwith the product 106′, thereby restricting movement of the product 106′within the container 104.

Referring to FIG. 11, in a second alternative aspect, a protuberance170″, may include a detent 190, such as a tab, and a biasing element192, such as a leaf spring. The first end 194 of the biasing element 192may be connected to the side wall 140 and the second 196 of the biasingelement 192 may be connected to the detent 190. Therefore, the biasingelement 192 may urge the detent 190 away from the side wall 140 in thedirection shown by arrow J.

Thus, as the container 104 is urged relative to the protuberance 170″,the side wall 124 (FIG. 12) of the container 104 may urge the detent 190against the side wall 140 of the dispenser 102 such that theprotuberance 170″ does not obstruct movement of the container 104relative to the dispenser 102. However, once the engagement opening 136(FIG. 12) is aligned with the protuberance 170″, the biasing force ofthe biasing element 192 may urge the detent 190 through the engagementopening 136 and into engagement with the product 106′, therebyrestricting movement of the product 106′ within the container 104.

At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatprotuberances of various shapes and configurations may be used to passthrough the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104 torestrict movement of one or more products 106′ within the container 104.The protuberances 170, 170′, 170″ shown in FIGS. 9-11 are only threespecific, non-limiting examples.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the product dispensing system 100 may beassembled by positioning the container 104 onto the container supportdeck 144 of the dispenser 102 such that the access opening 132 of thecontainer 104 is aligned with the dispenser opening 168 of the dispenser102. For example, the container 104 may be longitudinally urged towardthe rear end 154 of the dispenser 102 along the container support deck144 until the access opening 132 is aligned with the dispenser opening168. Optionally, as noted above, the access opening 132 may be formedduring the step of longitudinally urging the container 104 along thecontainer support deck 144 of the dispenser 102.

As the container 104 is urged along the container support deck 144 ofthe dispenser 102, the engagement openings 134, 136 in the container 104may approximate the protuberances 170, 172 on the dispenser 102. Oncethe engagement openings 134, 136 are aligned with the protuberances 170,172, the protuberances 170, 172 may protrude through the engagementopenings 134, 136 and may engage the product(s) 106′ within thecontainer 104 that are aligned with the engagement openings 134, 136, asshown in FIG. 12. The through-container engagement between theprotuberances 170, 172 and the product(s) 106′ may restrict rearwardmovement (i.e., movement toward the access opening 132) of theproduct(s) 106′, as well as the products 106 behind product(s) 106′, asshown in FIG. 13.

Thus, when the access opening 132 of the container 104 is aligned withthe dispenser opening 168 of the dispenser 102, the first two products106A, 106B may exit the container 104 through the access opening 132 andmay pass through the dispenser opening 168 down to the lower level 156of the dispenser 102, as shown in FIG. 13. Furthermore, with rearwardmovement of product(s) 106′ restricted, the weight of product(s) 106′may not act on product 106D. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the weightof product 106C acting on product 106D may urge product 106D in thedirection shown by arrow A, thereby allowing product 106C to passbetween product 106D and the rear wall 120 of the container 104 and,ultimately, pass through the access opening 132 down to the lower level156 of the dispenser 102. Once product 106C has passed through theaccess opening 132, the remaining products 106 (including products 106Dand 106′) in the container 10 may exit the container 104 withoutbridging.

Accordingly, the disclosed product dispensing system 100 may reduce oreliminate the occurrence of product bridging within the container 104 byfacilitating through-container engagement between the 102 dispenser andthe products 106 within the container 104 that at least temporarilyrestricts movement toward the access opening 132 of at least some of theproducts 106 within the container 104.

Although various embodiments of the disclosed product dispensing systemhave been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilledin the art upon reading the specification. The present applicationincludes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser comprising: a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall; a protuberance extending from said first side wall toward said second side wall; a container support deck positioned below said protuberance between said first and said second side walls, said container support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end, and defining a product display area.
 2. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance is connected to said first side wall.
 3. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance and said first side wall are formed as a single, monolithic body.
 4. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance is positioned between said front end and said rear end.
 5. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.125 inches from said first side wall.
 6. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.25 inches from said first side wall.
 7. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.375 inches from said first side wall.
 8. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance extends at least 0.5 inches from said first side wall.
 9. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance is formed as a bump on said first side wall.
 10. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said protuberance comprises a detent, and wherein said detent is biased away from said first side wall.
 11. The product dispensing system of claim 10 wherein said first side wall defines a recess, and wherein said detent is at least partially received in said recess.
 12. The product dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a second protuberance, wherein said second protuberance extends from said second side wall toward said first side wall.
 13. The product dispensing system of claim 12 wherein said first protuberance is laterally opposed from said second protuberance.
 14. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said product display area is positioned proximate said front end.
 15. The product dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a container positioned on said container support deck, wherein said container defines an engagement opening.
 16. The product dispensing system of claim 15 wherein said engagement opening is positioned to receive said protuberance when said engagement opening is aligned with said protuberance.
 17. The product dispensing system of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of products initially housed in said container.
 18. The product dispensing system of claim 17 wherein said protuberance is engaged with at least one product of said plurality of products when said engagement opening is aligned with said protuberance.
 19. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser comprising: a first side wall laterally opposed from a second side wall; a protuberance extending from said first side wall toward said second side wall; a container support deck positioned below said protuberance between said first and said second side walls, said container support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end, and defining a product display area; a container positioned on said container support deck, said container defining an engagement opening; and a plurality of products initially housed in said container, wherein said protuberance is engaged with at least one product of said plurality of products when said engagement opening is aligned with said protuberance.
 20. A method for dispensing products comprising the steps of: providing a dispenser comprising: a container support deck; and a lower support deck positioned below said container support deck, said lower support deck defining a product display area; providing a container initially housing a plurality of products; forming an access opening in said container, said access opening being size to allow said plurality of products to pass therethrough; positioning said container with said access opening on said container support deck such that at least one product of said plurality of products exits said container through said access opening and moves to said product display area; and while said container is positioned on said container support deck, restricting movement toward said access opening of at least another product of said plurality of products. 